What are some candidates to really measure the abilities of the Axiom speakers, for that matter any speaker? I just got my M22/VP150/QS8 and need to let the sing. Please give me some good musical choices and/or DVD's that will test the speakers. Keep in mind I am looking for some stuff to test above 80mhz. I really want test the M22s and find out how they differ from or exceed my Energy Take2, Boston Acoustic HD5 and Mirage M-190 pairs.

I usually use Patricia Barber - Modern Cool to test speakers and uadio equipment for audio. For movies... The Gladiator fight scenes are good... I also enjoyed the recent Star Wars movie, some of those scenes, like the race, has good effects. Some racing scenes in the Fast and the Furious also had some good audio.

I, of course, would also recommend the cd STILL by Nine Inch Nails, which is mostly piano, acoustic guitar, and ambient effects, but most people don't like them, even though this CD is completely different. Their live DVD, which, in contrast, is very heavy, is perhaps one of the best music DVD's I have heard. It far exceeds the U2 elevation tour DVD, and just may be better than the Diana Krall Live in Paris, which is VERY good.

Here a couple of suggestions. I'll post more when I get some more time:
One of the CDs I use to evaluate the M22ti's and several other prototypes is called "Misa Criolla" by Ariel Ramirez (Philips CD, 420-955-2). It features a Spanish/Latin American instrumental (acoustic) backing with a deep bass drum, and a full choir spread out way behind the lead singer, Jose Carreras.

It has a stunning soundstage with great depth. Carreras should be right up front, with the choir and guitars etc. spread out behind him, well back. It was recorded in a church with super acoustics and it's not dreary music. Try cut # 8 first, then others.

A beautifully recorded and ideally mixed 5.1 Dolby Digital music video is "James Taylor Live at the Beacon Theater." I know, the music is a bit sappy, but the back-up singers, musicians, electric bass, and Taylor's voice are almost perfect. With a good setup, the backup singers are on the left of the stage and wrap around the sides of your room. Taylor's voice is very accurate (there's a bit of sibilance, but not offensive) and the guitar sound is excellent.

By the way, I was at that taping (I live around the corner from the Beacon Theater) and interviewed the producer and mixer for the DVD, Frank Filipetti, who's done a first-rate job on the 5.1 mix. I'm sitting in the 10th row to the right (guy with gray hair). The sound and mix on the DVD is even better than the live concert sound. And, for those interested, the video directing is by Beth McCarthy, the director of Saturday Night Live, who really knows how to call camera shots for a concert.

Hey kurtisj,
Forgot to give you the catalog number of the James Taylor DVD: it's Columbia Music Videos CVD 50171.

And unless you have the hearing of a bat or a dog, I think you meant 8 kHz rather than 80 mHz, which is way, way beyond human hearing up there in batland. Or maybe you meant 80 Hz (low bass) or 800 Hz (upper bass) or 8,000 Hz (upper treble). In audio frequencies, kilohertz (kHz) is what we use. The "k" stands for 1,000 so 10 kHz is 10,000 Hz.

Our hearing spans a range of approximately 20 Hz to 20 kHz or 20,000 Hz.

Thanks Alan, Ravi;
I just ordered the Misa Criolla. I might as well try the recommendion of the local guru...and I'm always into a new sound. I will let you know in a week or so...shipping of course.
KurtisJ

If you want to go back a few years - and it's your style, then I suggest for vocals: "Hell Freezes Over" CD from the Eagles, and for sweet acoustical guitar and vocals, try the "Unplugged" album by Eric Clapton. They both sound great on my M60s!

Good suggestions, Randyman, and the DVD versions are also impressive. The Eagles disc has a bit of sibilance on the voices, but it's not offensive.

kurtisj:
I get Time-Warner digital cable now and the other night I watched "X-Men" in Dolby Digital 5.1, on HBO. The movie is weird but the 5.1 mix is spectacular, with all kinds of wonderful directional stuff mixed to the surround channels. Good, but bizarre, visual effects too.